The Fringe, April 2023

ISSUE 224, APRIL 2023

PO Box 60-469, Tītīrangi, Auckland 0642 Editor: Bevis England 817 8024, 027 494 0700 bevis@fringemedia.co.nz

Advertising: info@fringemedia.co.nz Writers and contributors: Moira Kennedy, David Thiele, Naomi McCleary, Fiona Drummond, Jade Reidy, Rebecca Manners, John Goudge, Karen McCarthy

The Fringe has been resolutely apolitical ever since it was launched: we have not taken sides in any political debate. But we have always supported our community, its environment, its people, and what is important to us. Council’s proposed budget is a fundamental threat to this.

The major cuts that will affect our environmental and cultural organisations have been widely discussed. Community weed bins could go, volunteer groups working to do what Council should be doing in caring for our environment could lose the small support they have received. We could lose our art galleries, many of our cultural organisations, and many of the other elements of what makes our society ‘civilised’. The organisations that were so important during the recent floods and storms, supporting residents who have lost everything, could suffer and our ability to prepare for future events could become non-existent.

Even funding for libraries and community advice bureaux could be cut. These services are critical to so many people that live in our community. They provide the information (including Council information) and support for those who cannot get it anywhere else. Cutting these services betrays our community, and the many residents who need them.

That there are those who think a six-figure salary isn’t particularly high, who believe that CABs are unimportant and that libraries should be run by volunteers, and who appeared to believe our recent extreme weather events were less important than a game of tennis suggests a much more worrying problem.

The question has to be asked.

Why is cutting so many things that are important to the majority of us the only option? Is it because people, our communities and our environment aren’t considered important enough to be funded and supported?

By the time this magazine hits the streets, it will be too late to make further submissions on the proposed budget. However, our councillors and mayor are now considering the submissions that have been sent in. Make your feelings known. Talk to our councillors and contact the mayor on mayor.wayne.brown@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or www. twitter.com/MayorAuckland.

– Bevis England

Every issue of The Fringe (and the Tītīrangi Tatler before it) since April 2011 is on-line at www.fringemedia.co.nz.

Like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FringeWest) to hear when each issue is available and get other updates.

Delivered free to letter boxes, post boxes, libraries and selected outlets throughout Tītīrangi, Glen Eden, Green Bay, New Lynn, Konini, Wood Bay, French Bay, Waima, Woodlands Park, Laingholm, Parau, Cornwallis, Huia, Oratia, and beyond.

Changes at The Trusts

The Trusts, which has a community mandate to operate liquor retail in the West, is changing all its stores to a franchise model.

It will see liquor outlets in the region rebranded and operate as either Liquorland or Super Liquor stores - within the coming 12 months.

With 25 stores, The Trusts is one of New Zealand’s largest liquor retail chains and the second largest employer in the West Auckland region. Profits from the retail stores have seen the organisation’s social enterprise model return millions of dollars to community charities and groups each year.

Allan Pollard, CEO of The Trusts, says The Trusts will retain ownership of the stores, allowing them to continue to fund hundreds of local charities, sporting and community groups.

“West Aucklanders will have access to the same core product range, pricing and promotions available at any other of the Liquorland and Super Liquor stores operating around New Zealand.”

Allan says there will be no reduction in the number of outlets as a result of the change.

Caring for birds

While we have been battling flooding, trees down, and blocked roads, many native and endemic birds were injured, or knocked out of their nests during the storms, writes

JOHN GOUDGE.

Those that survived often ended up at BirdCare Aotearoa in Green Bay. The staff and volunteers were busy with a large influx of hurt or displaced birds, about half of them sea-birds. During the floods and cyclone Gabrielle, two dedicated staff stayed at the centre full-time, enduring power and water outages, and a leak in the ceiling. Many volunteers turned up to help clear debris, including a fallen tree that just missed an aviary.

BirdCare is New Zealand’s busiest avian rehabilitation centre treating around 6000 birds a year. It currently has nearly 300 patients. You can find out how to volunteer, or donate food or money at www.birdcareaotearoa.org.nz

Free weed bins coming back in April

Do yourself, your neighbours, our local parks and reserves and the beautiful Waitākere Ranges a favour by digging in to clear weeds and disposing of them in free community weed bins this April.

Thanks to support from the Waitākere Ranges and Henderson-Massey local boards and Auckland Council, War on Weeds is back to help West Aucklanders dispose of invasive weeds from their backyards.

The bins (for invasive weeds only) will be available from April 1 to April 30 at 15 locations across West Auckland.

Invasive weeds accepted at the bins include moth plant, wild ginger, climbing asparagus, Japanese honeysuckle, jasmine, woolly nightshade and more. They all have a serious ecological impact and the recent extreme weather underlines the importance of protecting our environment.

(To help stop the spread of moth plant and wild ginger, please bag the seed pods and seed heads before putting them into the bins.)

To learn more about efforts to tackle weeds in your area, visit ecomatters.org.nz/war-on-weeds

FREE BINS FOR PEST PLANTS

AVAILABLE 1 – 30 APRIL 2023

HENDERSON-MASSEY LOCAL BOARD

1 HENDERSON MPHS carpark, 27 Corban Ave

2 TE ATATŪ PENINSULA 580 Te Atatū Rd

3 MASSEY Massey Leisure Centre, corner Westgate Dr and Don Buck Rd

4 SWANSON Central Landscape Supplies, 598 Swanson Rd

WAITĀKERE RANGES LOCAL BOARD

5 LAINGHOLM Laingholm Hall carpark, 69 Victory Rd, opposite the primary school

6 PARAU 695 Huia Rd

7 KAURILANDS Konini Primary School, 44 Withers Rd

8 TE HENGA Regional Park carpark, next to 110 Te Henga Rd

9 TITIRANGI Zig Zag track carpark, Park Rd

10 TITIRANGI Tangiwai Reserve carpark, Huia Rd

11 WAIMA Corner of Boylan Rd and York Rd

12 WAIATARUA Waiatarua Hall, 911 West Coast Rd

13 HENDERSON VALLEY SCHOOL, 389 Henderson Valley Rd

For more info on weed bins and Pest Plant Roadshow events, visit ecomatters.org.nz/war-on-weeds

PERMANENT WEED BINS

PIHA DOMAIN Seaview Road

HUIA DOMAIN Huia Road

PEST PLANT ROADSHOW

Konini School, 44 Withers Road, Glen Eden – Sat 15 Apr Huia Domain, 1193 Huia Road, Huia – Sun 16 Apr

Wwoofing scheme re-starts

The volunteer WWOOF (World wide opportunities on organic farms) scheme is back up and running, with young people from the Northern Hemisphere escaping winter to experience Aotearoa and help with recovery work, writs JADE REIDY.

Alice Stegiani and Gauthier Fichel had booked their three months in New Zealand before our recent storms arrived. They volunteered in an organic coffee business outside of Kaitaia before heading down to West Auckland, over broken roads, last month.

“Wwoofing is well known in Europe as a way to stay longer, because accommodation here is so expensive,” explains Alice. “And we really like to share with local people, to experience how it is to live in different ways.”

The 25-year-old French couple, who are qualified landscape engineers, spent a week in Foster Bay. They built new stormwater protection alongside drains the council no longer maintains and replanted an area of native bush that had been damaged by invasive weeds.

Weeds escaping into the Waitākere Ranges parkland and

She showed

other hillsides have played a significant role in de-stabilising cliffs, leading to landslides.

Elias Vollmer and Freddy Schubert from southern Germany are also on their big OE, and learning about native bush. The two teenagers are ultra-fit, with passions for technology and the arts, among other things.

Elias had nurtured a dream to come to New Zealand ever since his parents holidayed here 30 years ago.

“They used to show me all the books of their photos,” he says. “I haven’t quite realised yet that I’m living my dream,” he says. “But it’s super cool.”

The scheme is free for hosts to join. Volunteers work up to four hours a day in exchange for accommodation and goodquality, preferably organic meals. Although it originated for organic farms, it’s OK if you live in the city. Young people can help create a vegetable garden, for example, or muck in with the clean-up, or even just look after you for a few days if you’re exhausted.

If you’re interested in hosting wwoofers and reaping the benefits of the unique scheme, go to www.wwoof.nz.

Fixing our roads

It is going to take some time to fix the many broken roads that are making travel in the West so difficult says Auckland Transport. There are over 1300 slips across Auckland with most of the damage caused by the earth under the road being washed out.

There are several steps involved in repairing damaged roads and each road will need a unique plan.

First, the soil has to dry. While the soil is still saturated it is difficult to assess the depth of the damage, and there is the risk of further movement.

This is followed by geotechnical assessment and investigation. Engineers will drill into the soil to discover the depth of the damage, followed by off-site assessment. This may take weeks or months.

Let us help you show it back.

There are people in life who shape who you are. Always there to give you advice, comfort and love. When the time comes to say goodbye, talk with us and we’ll guide you through a farewell as special as your loved one.

We can then plan and design the repair. In many cases, this will include rebuilding the earth under the road, and the construction of retaining walls. These designs then go through safety assessments.

Finally there is procurement and delivery. Resources need to be ordered and prepared and a contractor engaged. Traffic management plans also need to be approved before work can begin.

The situation for each road changes from day to day. To find out what is happening on your street look for updates at https://AT.govt.nz/roadrepairs. This page is updated after daily reports come in from the maintenance crews and the engineers working on each road.

Building resilience New Hospice services

Hospice West Auckland’s Social Care team have extended their services to include acupuncture and pet therapy.

The team based at Hospice House, 52 Beach Road, Te Atatu Peninsula, specialises in providing patients and their loved ones with psychological, social, emotional and spiritual care.

Acupuncture is believed to stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional wellbeing. Sessions are provided by a registered acupuncturist and held every Tuesday.

Pet therapy sessions are run on the first Thursday of every month. Two of Canine Friends’ trained pet therapy dogs visit to deliver a dose of joy, playfulness and comfort to patients, carers and whānau.

The new services complement Hospice’s extensive array of support designed to improve quality of life, including physiotherapy, music and arts therapy, massage therapy, Rongoa Maori and aromatherapy. Bookings are essential for all services are required. Phone 0800 834 9755.

A group of Cornwallis locals have formed a new group to counter the threats of climate change.

The first meeting of Cornwallis Community Resilience (CCR), established with the support of a Climate Action Grant from Auckland Council, was a picnic (forced indoors by torrential rain, as pictured) in late February. 35 people turned up and over 30 signed up to be part of CCR. The next steps are for the group to survey local residents and develop a shared action plan.

Climate change presents serious challenges to those living on the Karanga-a-Hape (Cornwallis peninsula). Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe, bringing power blackouts, road closures, disrupted Internet and water shortages. These vulnerabilities will only increase in the coming years and decades. Sea level rise will also affect the peninsula with recent modelling showing that the only access road, Huia Road, will be underwater in Parau by 2050.

For further information, contact the coordinator Cordelia Lockett by email: cornwallisresilience@gmail.com.

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A long tradition of remembrance

The Tītīrangi area has a rich history of memorialising wars.

During World War I, Tītīrangi could claim the distinction of being one of the first, if not the first, settlement to erect a memorial. Businessman Henry Atkinson – his statue today temporarily absent from his usual position beside Lopdell House –commissioned a Coromandel granite memorial obelisk to stand on land he owned at the junction of Tītīrangi and Atkinson Roads. By this stage the local school already had a Roll of Honour and the Village first marked Anzac Day (April 25, 1916), one year after the landing at Anzac Cove. Eighteen local men had enlisted by early 1917, even though at the previous general election a mere 32 had cast their vote at Tītīrangi.

After World War II, a mammoth effort by the Tītīrangi RSA, Tītīrangi R&R and other locals resulted in the opening of a splendid modernist memorial hall including Plunket Rooms and library in January 1965 in South Tītīrangi Road. So the memorial obelisk, with World War II names added, came down off the hill to the parkland on which the hall was built. In 2011 it was moved nearer the hall to its current position.

Down in Park Road is the unique Tītīrangi Soldiers’ Memorial Church, looking much the same today as when it was built in 1924 – with its simple concrete block construction and vivid orange tile roof.

The driving force behind the project was Emily Bishop, the matriarch of the prominent Bishop family, the earliest Pākehā family to settle in the district. Emily lost two sons in World War I. Jack, a 2nd lieutenant in the Otago Infantry Regiment, died at Passchendaele.

Continued on page 12 >>

Re-prioritising after storms

The New Lynn electorate, especially the Waitākere Ranges, was hit hard by the recent floods and cyclone and many are still dealing with slips, road closures, a loss of power and water, and yellow or red-stickered properties.

If you need help dealing with an insurance claim, the government has set up the New Zealand Claims Resolution Service (NZCRS), designed to resolve issues and ensure claims are settled as quickly as possible. For assistance from the NZCRS, phone 0508 624 327, email contact@nzcrs.govt.nz or visit www.nzcrs.govt.nz.

With the focus firmly on the rebuild and recovery, the government is having to make some tough choices. We’ve already announced some re-prioritisations, and now a second tranche of programmes is being stopped or delayed so we can focus on the bread and butter issues facing New Zealanders. These changes will save about $1 billion and include deferring a range of transport programmes so Waka Kotahi can focus on post cyclone road recovery, and rolling out Auckland transport solutions in stages.

We’ve made a start on addressing cost of living pressures by extending fuel excise restrictions and half-price public transport, as well as increasing the minimum wage. Pensioners, students, parents, and those on main benefits will all have seen a boost to their income in line with inflation from the beginning of this month. The package we’ve announced will help 1.4 million New Zealanders.

Climate change is undeniable and there will be more extreme weather events so we need to build back better, safer, and smarter. Our economy is resilient and we are building an economy for the long term that delivers higher wage jobs and low emissions that makes our families and businesses stronger in good times and bad. We will get through this.

Ngā Mihi

Deborah Russell, MP for New Lynn

The Tītīrangi war memorial in its original position on the hill opposite Te Uru. Photo Auckland Libraries.

To other business

In the February and March arts columns I railed against the mayor’s proposed budget and the frightening impacts on arts and culture in our communities.

If my raging prompted any readers to make submissions on this monstrous plan, my heartfelt thanks. Last word: a mature and sophisticated city, at a point of financial crisis, wraps its arms around its communities (arts, culture, environment, events and grass roots social services); and it finds a better way. We do not have that quality of political leadership.

Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery is an institution in a moment of change. Andrew Clifford, the inaugural director, has left to take up the directorship of the Sargeant Gallery in Whanganui. Our congratulations to him and our thanks for leading Te Uru through its critical first decade.

The history that led to the building of Te Uru is of interest. The initial brief to architects Mitchell Stout was for an upgrade of Lopdell House that would allow the conditions to host traveling national and international exhibitions, i.e. climate control, running wall space, security etc. This proved to be impossible. So the notion of a new, purpose-built gallery was born and the result was Te Uru.

Andrew inherited a beautiful building, an architectural ‘artwork’ in its own right in 2013. But the culture of this institution and its potential rested in his hands, and in this he has done a remarkable job, balancing the innovative and edgy along with the legacy of the old Lopdell Gallery. He has forged the relationship between the gallery and Te Kawerau ā Maki – hence the name Te Uru. He has both supported the local and attracted touring exhibitions and led a team that delivers education to students and through public programmes. He has overcome many challenges including keeping the spirit of Te Uru alive through the long three years of Covid.

So, to one of the drivers of creating the new gallery, the conditions and capacity to host touring exhibitions, in this case from Te Papa.

Rita Angus: New Zealand Modernist | He Ringatoi Hou o Aotearoa brings together 20 works by one of New Zealand’s most iconic 20th-century artists, Rita Angus (1908–1970). She was fundamental to the establishment of a distinctive, modern school of art in New Zealand.

Over the course of her life she produced a remarkable body of drawings, watercolours, and paintings. A committed feminist, and a pacifist, Angus’ work was deeply entwined with her view of the world. In her portraits and landscape paintings, with their distinctive clear colours and flat, graphic style, she created a unique image of 20th-century Aotearoa.

In her words, ‘As a woman painter, I work to represent love

of humanity and faith in mankind in a world, which is to me, richly variable and infinitely beautiful’.

The exhibition includes many of Angus’s most important works, including Rutu (1951), Cleopatra (1938), and Central Otago (195356/1969) as well as two significant recent acquisitions made by Te Papa: Marjorie Marshall (1938-39/1943) is a remarkable portrait of Angus’s friend and fellow artist Marshall, set against the backdrop of Central Otago Mountains; The Aviatrix (1933) is one of Angus’s most important early works – a striking portrait of her sister Edna, the first woman pilot in the East Coast Aero Club, wearing her flying costume.

The national tour of this exhibition is supported by Singapore Airlines and the Auckland (in association with the Auckland Arts Festival 2023) is sponsored by Murray Halberg Retirement Village with support from Lopdell Trust.

The future of Te Uru will soon be in the hands of a new director. These are always exciting moments of change and we look forward to a new era at our iconic gallery.

by Carmel Sepuloni MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

Places to go – Things to do

Out and About in the West

Event organisers: Do you have an upcoming event you’d like listed in The Fringe? Send the details, including a contact person and number, to info@fringemedia.co.nz.

Readers: While we take care to ensure listings are correct, errors may occur. Check with the contact person wherever possible.

Covid precautions: All events and gatherings in these listings will require full compliance with relevant Covid regulations.

April

w – 1, Tītīrangi Theatre presents Father Ted, based on the television series; Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell House, 418 Titirangi Road, titirangi. Tickets and informaiton at https://www.titirangitheatre.co.nz/.

w – 6, Oasis/Respite 2.0 works by artists, and creatives from the trans community and the wider LGBTQIA+ community; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson; 10am-4.30pm daily. 838 4455.

w – 8, Kei whea te Aute, Arapeta pays tribute to knowledge holders and reciters of the acclaimed Mooteatea (Māori lament or chant) by continuing their legacy in exhibition form; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson; 10am-4.30pm daily. 838 4455.

w – 30, Rita Angus: New Zealand Modernist | He Ringatoi Hou o Aotearoa, 20 works by one of New Zealand’s most iconic 20th-centry artists; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w – May 28, Still life, new works produced during Ayesha Green's residency at Parehuia-McCahon House; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w – May 28, Unbeautiful evening. An exhibition of works by Samoan artist Andy Leleisi’uao, damaged when his South Auckland home and studio were flooded in late January. The works reflect on how, just as water cycles through its various properties, a new process in life begins; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w – July 2, Cellular memories and planetary designs: three works by Elizabeth Thomson who has devoted much of her career to exploring both the order and randomness she finds in the physical world, and in the fabric of human life and thought; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w 1, Drop in craft session: make your own no-sew bunting or garland using recycled fabric scraps. Create something that will spark joy from what would otherwise be wasted. All materials supplied; Tītīrangi Library, 500 South Tītīrangi Road; 10.30am-2.30pm; No registration needed. Phone 377 0209.

w 4 and every Tuesday, Waitemata Scottish Country Dancing. All welcome - all ages, all levels, sociable dancing; Glen Eden Primary School Hall, 3 Glenview Road, Glen Eden; Beginners 6.45 pm, Others 7.45-10.00pm; First night free, casual fee $5 nightly. Phone 83 87 263 or 021 1060 466.

w 6, Connecting people to nature and art: Moonrise, an experiential workshop; Lopdell House Rooftop Terrace, 418 Titirangi Road; 8.45pm start; $30, art materials supplied. Contact Dianna at hello@diannabrinsden. co.nz.

w 11 – 20, Tītīrangi Library School Holiday Programme including a storytime session with author Stephanie Thatcher, craft sessions, Johnny Green and his vintage board games, and a library-themed quiz night; Tītīrangi Library, 500 South Tītīrangi Road. For more information visit

https://www.facebook.com/titirangilibrar. Registrations required by email titirangi.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

w 14, Flicks presents a film to be announced; Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell House, 418 Titirangi Road; 10.30am, 6pm and 8.15pm; $15/$12/$10 from eventfinda and on door. Text bookings to 0210 222 5558. www.flickscinema. weebly.com

w 14 – May 27, Dal. Auckland-based ceramicist Jino Jeong embraces the wonderful irregularities of the moon jar whilst also experimenting beyond the traditional technique; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson; 10am-4.30pm daily. 838 4455.

w 14 – May 27 May, Low Carbon Luxe. Christine Brimer, Bernadette Casey, Barbara Wheeler present their domestic tableaux of artisan homewares that showcase creative solutions to textile waste; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson; 10am-4.30pm daily. 838 4455.

w 15, New Lynn Lions Club $1 Book Sale: Books, Magazines, CDs, DVDs, LPs and jigsaw puzzles; New Lynn Friendship Club Hall, 3063 Great North Road, New Lynn (down the driveway by the traffic lights); 8am-4pm. Contact lianne.sloan@xtra.co.nz.

w 15, HISTORIC SCHOOL MOVIES FROM TĪTĪRANGI PRIMARY. Thirty movies that were shot at Tītīrangi Primary School during the mid to late 70s, digitised by the West Auckland Research Centre. They include views of the village, school, surrounds and parent helpers from that era. Please spread the word to ex-pupils who are now aged mid to late 50’s as they, or their parents, could be in the movies; Tītīrangi Library, 500 South Tītīrangi Road; Reel 1, 11-11.45; Reel 2, 12.45 – 1.30pm. Phone 377 0209.

w 21, The Upstairs Gallery Film night: Pollock (M); Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell House, 418 Tītīrangi Road; 7pm; Free. Bookings to 0210 222 5558 or 817 4278.

w 22 and 29, Audible Garden - a feast for the senses; a series of workshops on acting, Bollywood dancing, Indian vocal technique, ethnic flute playing, poetry writing and diverse needs music making; Lopdell Precinct, Tītīrangi, 418 Tītīrangi Rd. Go to www.eventbrite.co.nz for free tickets.

w 26, West Auckland Historical Society presents The Lopdell Precinct, an illustrated talk about this Category 1 listed heritage precinct comprising Lopdell House, Te Uru Gallery and the Treasure House by Martin Jones from Heritage NZ Pouhere Taonga; Waitākere Gardens, 15 Sel Peacock Drive, Henderson; 7pm. Phone 836 5917

w 28, Flicks presents a film to be announced; Tītīrangi Theatre, Lopdell House, 418 Tītīrangi Road; 10.30am, 6pm and 8.15pm; $15/$12/$10 from eventfinda and on door. Text bookings to 0210 222 5558. www.flickscinema. weebly.com

w 28, Tītīrangi Folk Music Club presents Friday Folk, an informal gathering of musicians and singers; Tītīrangi Beach Hall, bottom of Tītīrangi Beach Road; 8pm; $5. www.titirangilivemusic.co.nz or text Cathy on 021 207 7289.

There is so much happening in and around our community, including many regular events, that we can’t fit everything into these listings. If you can’t see the event you’re interested in, visit:

www.fringemedia.co.nz/ourplace

Playhouse Theatre

Inc. are staging their first show for 2023 this month, the Tael Solutions Ltd season of 12 Angry Jurors.

Written by Reginald Rose and adapted by Sherman L. Sergel, this play is a courtroom thriller based on the Emmy Awardwinning TV movie 12 Angry Men, amended to reflect the fact that both men and women are now represented in the jury.

It seems a straightforward murder trial. In the deliberation room, most of the jury pushes for a quick guilty verdict, but a single juror holds out and insists that they examine the evidence thoroughly to make sure that the accused really deserves his punishment – a mandatory death sentence. What starts out as a calm discussion builds to frustration, irritation, confrontation and eventually a violent outburst before the jurors recover their tempers and ultimately arrive at a unanimous verdict.

12 Angry Jurors examines the huge responsibility of 12 ordinary people as they consider the evidence and bring their own histories, prejudices, and biases to the jury room.

Directed by Paul Roukchan and performed at the historic Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre, the themes and attitudes examined in 12 Angry Jurors remain as relevant today as they did over half a century ago.

The Playhouse season runs April 15th – 29th. Book at Eventfinda.

Angry Jurors WIN

The Fringe has four double passes to this play to give away. To go in the draw to win one, please write your name, address and phone number on the back of an envelope and post it to Jurors, PO Box 60-469, Tītīrangi or email your details to info@fringemedia.co.nz with Jurors in the subject line. Entries must be received by April 12.

Places to go – Things to do

A feast of creativity

Ever wanted to try your hand at singing, acting, dancing, poetry writing or learning to play an exotic wind instrument, but didn’t know where to start?

The Audible Garden is a series of free workshops that are taking place in April, supported by Tītīrangi’s Lopdell Trust. Organiser Matt Reece (above) says the aim is to foster diversity, inclusivity, and creativity.

“Many people used their time during the lockdowns to develop new talents, but many felt isolated and had few avenues for self-expression,” Matt says. “These workshops are for people who have always dreamed of learning new talents, and also to give momentum to those who are already on their creative path.”

New works emerging from the workshops will be presented in a public showcase at Tītīrangi Theatre on the June 24.

The Audible Garden, Saturdays April 22 and 29, Lopdell Precinct, Tītīrangi, bookings essential. www.eventbrite.com

The big rebuild

Kia ora,

Tītīrangi still bears the scars of two storms the likes of which I have not witnessed before. The rebuild is now under way but I am afraid it will take time.

If you have had a slip on your property make sure you have reported it to Auckland Council and have lodged your insurance claim if you have not done so already. The response could be complex depending on where the slip is. If it is on road reserve or potentially affects the road Auckland Transport have indicated they will talk to you. If work is required to maintain the road, then they might be willing to discuss different options.

A number of the slips happened on weed infected sites. Clearly, we need to deal to weeds and replace them with more deep-rooted native plants. Auckland Council has a role to play in this. The local board spends a reasonably significant amount of money on supporting communities deal with weeds. This sum must increase dramatically in the future. We also need to protect trees. They hold banks together, soak up water and slow down water flows. We cut them at our peril.

Stormwater infrastructure needs to be reviewed and improved. And Auckland Council needs to be more nimble. At the first sign of a large storm, it needs to inspect and clear all drains.

Most importantly local communities need to be supported and nurtured. It has been the community’s response which has made this easier for all of us.

Ngā mihi

Greg Presland, Chairperson Waitākere Ranges Local Board

35 years of walking

The Blockhouse Bay Y’s Walking Club, started by Norma Peggs, Betty McKay and Pat Walden 35 years ago, is still going strong and welcomes new members.

The group meets on Monday and Wednesday mornings at 8.30am and has 27 walks which are done in rotation, so there is plenty of variety. The walks take you through parks and reserves, and around roads and alleyways most people never knew existed, some with breath-taking views out over the Manukau Harbour.

The group has over 60 financial members and a variety of fitness levels are catered for. Members come from as far away as Oratia, New Windsor, Mt Roskill, New Lynn and Tītīrangi. At $15 a year it might be the cheapest workout you will find!

Contact Basil Williamson Ph: 6263230 or 0273069658 email: bjwjaw@xtra.co.nz or Pieter de Veld ph 626-3381 to find out more.

Dear Editor, Could I offer some thoughts and invite discussion on the affects of our recent weather events.

I am not denying the climate is changing and warming but the fact is New Zealand is only responsible for .02% of world greenhouse gas emissions. No matter what we do it is not going to make much of an impact. This is not to say we should do nothing but rather that we should be more receptive to increasing our infrastructure resilience and in many cases look at managed retreat.

Waiting for the major greenhouse gas emitters to actually do something meaningful is akin to standing on the seashore and hoping the incoming tide will stop before it reaches our head.

– Chris Iszard, Tītīrangi.

Places to go – Things to do

EcoFest: climate action and community resilience

In the wake of recent devastating weather events, the need for climate action and community resilience in Aotearoa has never been more pressing.

From Saturday 18 March to Sunday 16 April, EcoFest will offer opportunities for people of all ages and stages of their sustainability journey to engage with the unique environment of Tāmaki Makaurau and learn how they can reduce their climate impact.

Started in 2012 as EcoFest West by EcoMatters Environment Trust, the annual festival has since expanded across all corners of Auckland, with Kaipātiki Project, Beautification Trust and Waiheke Resources Trust joining as co-organisers in their rohe.

"Amidst the recent weather-related tragedies, we are reminded of the urgent need to take action on climate change and to build resilient communities," said Carla Gee, CEO of EcoMatters Environment Trust. "EcoFest 2023 aims to inspire and empower individuals and communities to take meaningful action towards a more sustainable future.

We hope that this year's festival will help create a stronger, more connected, and more resilient Tāmaki Makaurau."

Some of the more than 200 events featured in this year's programme include composting workshops, silent disco clean-ups, and sustainability-themed film screenings. EcoFest also welcomes individuals, community groups, and businesses to host events as part of the festival. Events in the West Auckland area include:

• Get hands-on experience creating drought-tolerant garden beds

• Make your own no-sew bunting or garland using recycled fabric scraps

• Make a terrarium

• DIY Bokashi Workshop

• And with the school holidays coming up you can search for whānau friendly events to keep the kids entertained.

EcoFest runs until April 16. For all details visit ecofest.org. nz.

Towards a pest-free future

The work of eliminating pest plants and animals is never-ending and many organisations and individuals have been, and are, committed to this work.

One local champion, June Henderson (left), recently passed away.

Born in London, England she settled in Tītīrangi in 1989 wioth her late husband Ian. June’s life interests included her love of all things gardening and she had a great love of the environment, and eradicating things that negatively affected it, like ginger and possums. She was a foundation member of the Friends of Arataki in 1995 and was made an Honorary Member in 2009. A stalwart of the Tītīrangi Residents & Ratepayers Association she took on the role of environmental advocate and educator of new residents with the help and support of the staff at Waitākere City Council.

June was known as "The Ginger Lady" for her work raising awareness of this damaging weed and in later years devoted herself to ridding the area of possums, selling possum traps from her home and instructing purchasers in their use.

Although June will be missed, the work she was committed to continues and there are many opportunities for locals to get involved.

For example, Oratia local Simon Oosterman has started a new group to create a predator-free Oratia following the ‘Pestival’ last November. If you are interested in joining this

group, join the Oratia and Waiatarua Wildlife Project facebook group, www.facebook.com/groups/851214436202470

There are many other local groups doing pest control locally and all of them could do with some extra help:

• Waima to Laingholm Pest Free, contact@w2l.nz

• Restoration Ruatuna, www.pfwra.org.nz/find-yourpeople/restoration-ruatuna/

• South Tītīrangi Neighbourhood Network www. southtitirangi.org.nz/contact

• Friends of Woodside Glen, pfwra.org.nz/find-yourpeople/

• The Petrelheads in Cornwallis, www.cornwallis.org.nz/ petrelheads

• Friends of Cornwallis Peninsula, pestfreecornwallis@ gmail.com

• Trap NZ Huia, www.trap.nz/project/1106292/info

• Friends of Whatipu, www.whatipulodge.co.nz/index. php?page=Contact

• Pest Free Waiatarua, www.facebook.com/Pest-FreeWaiatarua-878893365649818/

• Birdsong Opanuku, www.birdsongopanuku.org/

• Ark in the Park, nature.project@forestandbird.org.nz

• Matuku Link, www.matukulink.org.nz/

These and other groups and networks, comprising some 10,000 volunteers are part of the Pest Free Waitākere Ranges Alliance, committed to restoring biodiversity in the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area. www.pfwra.org.nz/.

>> A long tradition of remembrance, continued from page 6

Will Bishop died at La Signy Farm in France. Jack was 23 years old and Will 21. A third son, Gus, was severely wounded and came home on crutches.

Money for this project was raised at floral fairs held at the Bishops’ home, Dunvegan, and by other community efforts. The land was gifted by Nelson Hawkins who was subdividing his Ferndale Estate. The architect was Fred Soutar and the concrete blocks were made in the yard of Kershaw Brothers of New Lynn, with the Kershaw children helping with casting blocks. Henry Jenkin, himself a returned soldier, did the joinery.

Further out along the Manukau Harbour coastline is another prominent memorial. The Spragg Memorial was

gifted by Wesley Spragg, the grieving father of Wesley Neal Spragg, a lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corp, whose plane crashed in Egypt where he was a flying instructor. This large granite column, facing the entrance of the Manukau Harbour and the setting sun, also commemorates “all the boys” who died in the war, and bears the inscription “Gone West”, a term used at the time for dying. The obelisk came with a gift of 761 acres of land, now part of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park and including the beautiful beach of Kaitarakihi.

Marking Anzac Day is thus a very old tradition in Tītīrangi. Contact your local RSA for details of this year’s events.

– Sandra Coney

Did you know ...

Kawakawa, macropiper excelsum, is a shrub or small tree which can grow to six metres in height. The broad heartshaped leaves have a smooth surface and when grown in shade are a dark green, tending to be lighter on the under side. When grown in the open the leaves develop a yellow hue.

The name kawakawa in Māori refers to the bitter taste of the leaves.

Kawakawa can be grown successfully in the open, however it is one of the few native trees which can form a dense under-storey in deep shade. It tolerates dry and exposed coastal sites and performs best on free draining soils.

Early Māori listed over 30 uses for kawakawa. The fruit, bark, leaves and roots were all considered to possess medicinal properties but the species also has spiritual significance.

The large heart-shaped leaf was a symbol of courage and fortitude, while

Nurtured the natural way ...

Body & Mind

a branch of the tree, laid on a marae was regarded as signifying mourning.

Kawakawa leaves contain myristicin, which is mildly antiseptic and has pain numbing properties.

Leaf preparations have been used for

dressing wounds and treating ailments such as rheumatic pains, coughs, colds, chest complaints, bruises, eczema, kidney, and urinary complaints. When kawakawa leaves are burned they serve as an insect deterrent.

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Yoka graduated in 1998 and is now offering a wide range of treatment options. With her broad range of skills she is able to choose the right treatment for you. Yoka is also a qualified Yoga and Pilates instructor offering oneon-one sessions. A registered life member of Massage New Zealand, Yoka is an accredited therapist for Southern Cross Insurance.

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The trip to Auckland has always been an adventure

Yeah gidday. Lizard here.

I found an old transcript recorded by my Uncle Riley Lizard. He was a journalist and radio announcer during the 1960s, working for WestAM Radio. What you’re about to read is his pre-recorded show called A life of Riley from March 1963.

West Auckland has always attracted the adventurous. The explorers, missionaries, hunters. Restless people that needed wide horizons. A district of wide contrast. Moody forest to shifting harbour shores. This is a story of such people.

This is the story of the West Auckland motorist. Navigating the most gruelling gravel tracks. They drive the toughest most unpredictable roads in the world. This involves intense activity in the local garages as drivers and mechanics make last minute preparations to their cars before leaving the relative safety of their homes, caravans and hotel rooms.

Cars from England, America, Australia, Italy, France, Germany and even one from Japan. As they turn the key to the on position and press the starter, tension mounts. The driver's silent prayer is whether there is still time to complete the list of jobs remaining to be done.

The ladies are here too. This toughest of journeys was once thought to be suitable for men only, but some of the women have shown that they can give the men more than a run for their money.

Local driver Kevin has taken part in many safaris to the big smoke with his co-driver Don, always in a Ford. Others have chosen Vauxhalls or Morris and Austin vehicles of sturdy British origins. One thing for sure, to embark on this journey to the city, a careful selection of gear is needed. Polishing rags. A length of garden hose for emergency syphoning of petrol at the roadside. A quart of oil slipped alongside the crate of half Gs. A blanket and of course ample cigarettes. A bottle of Eau de Cologne doesn’t go amiss because boy, this journey can get mighty sticky.

The cars are now as perfect as mechanical skill can make them. Now it’s up to good driving and judgement with a large slice of luck for good measure.

This is the daunting route that faces them.

Gathering outside Lopdell House early Friday evening, they all set off. A quick test on the brake pedal down Tītīrangi hill (careful, don’t skid) then onto Godley Road and the first opportunity to open up the throttle. As they head north at Blockhouse Bay they are joined by fellow adventurers from Mt Roskill, Kelston, and Glen Eden. Even drivers from Panmure have made the journey around the harbour.

Soon they hit Great North Road. After racing along this great thoroughfare, past the Springs, the constant anticipation turns into real joy as they form up at the top of Queen Street.

A quick 'hoe of the main’ and then round to Mission Bay to check out who's in town and more importantly, what their ‘rides' are. Some peel off to the Globe if there is a band on, but most just drive around and find a good park to watch the people and maybe get some toasted cheese sandwiches – all hoping to return by Sunday lunchtime at the latest. There’s plenty of time for these guys and gals to sleep during the week.

What an adventure. Rain, dust then more rain. Perhaps the drivers are remembering the Chinese proverb that says "It’s better to travel hopefully than arrive”.

Certainly, it takes a mere miracle to arrive well in these conditions. And it’s not surprising that a local driver has been behind the wheel of every vehicle that has returned in one piece since 1938. This weekend, of the 18 that set off only three have returned in time to clock in to work on Monday.

The clubs, bars and RSAs will be echoing tonight with stories from the journey. It might have been the toughest ever, but that will not deter these men and women of West Auckland from doing it all again next weekend.

For them, the undriveable road doesn’t exist.

Please tune in to next week’s show when I interview Bob Charles and ask him “That’s an interesting shirt you're wearing?”

Good evening, Riley Lizard signing off.

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